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European Economic Integration

Code: 102481 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2501573 Economics OT 3
2501573 Economics OT 4

Contact

Name:
Jordi Rosell Foxa
Email:
jordi.rosell@uab.cat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

 
 
 
The resulting knowledge of having completed the course "Introduction to Economics", "International Economics" and "economic integration", ie, understanding the basics of the economy and the knowledge of the general evolution of the world economy and international relations.

Objectives and Contextualisation

The course attempts to analyze the economics and politics of the European Union.

 

The objectives of the course are:

  • Understand the fundamentals of the European integration process.
  • Understand the forms and dynamics of the institutional system of the European Union.
  • Analyze competition, trade, monetary, agricultural, domestic, regional and social UE policies.
  • Understand the characteristics, capabilities, limitations and challenges of the European economy.
  • Analyze the integration of the single market in a context of globalization, convergence between Member States and with the United States, and strategies for stabilization and structural reforms.
  • Understand the relationship between intensification policies and EU enlargement, and between competitiveness and solidarity in Europe.
  • Manage community sources.

 


Competences

    Economics
  • Capacity for adapting to changing environments.
  • Capacity for independent learning in the future, gaining more profound knowledge of previous areas or learning new topics.
  • Demonstrate initiative and work individually when the situation requires it.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the structure of institutions and the state, their evolution and the consequences of possible changes, to be able to make a positive contribution to the debate about the role they play in current society.
  • Know how to handle the analytical framework and empirical knowledge that is offered by the economy on international relations and the most important economic areas.
  • Organise the work in terms of good time management, organisation and planning.
  • Select and generate the information necessary for each problem, analyse it and take decisions based on that information.
  • Show motivation for carrying out quality work and sensitivity to the consequences for the environment and society.
  • Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  • Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  • Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  • Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  • Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  • Value ethical commitment in professional practice.
  • Work well in a team, being able to argue proposals and validate or reject the arguments of others in a reasoned manner.

Learning Outcomes

  1. A capacity of oral and written communication in Catalan, Spanish and English, which allows them to summarise and present the work conducted both orally and in writing.
  2. Analyse the role of international institutions in the economy.
  3. Assess ethical commitment in professional activity.
  4. Assess the functioning and current situation of the Spanish economy.
  5. Capacity to adapt to changing environments.
  6. Capacity to continue future learning independently, acquiring further knowledge and exploring new areas of knowledge.
  7. Demonstrate initiative and work independently when required.
  8. Demonstrate motivation regarding the quality of the work performed and sensitivity regarding the consequences on the environment and society.
  9. Examine the influence and the role of Spanish public institutions in the economy.
  10. Interpret the economic globalisation process and its consequences for the Spanish economy.
  11. Organise work, in terms of good time management and organisation and planning.
  12. Perform an economic analysis of integration processes, in general, and of the European integration process, in particular.
  13. Select and generate the information needed for each problem, analyse it and make decisions based on this information.
  14. Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  15. Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  16. Students must be capable of communicating information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
  17. Students must develop the necessary learning skills in order to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  18. Students must have and understand knowledge of an area of study built on the basis of general secondary education, and while it relies on some advanced textbooks it also includes some aspects coming from the forefront of its field of study.
  19. Work as part of a team and be able to argue own proposals and validate or refuse the arguments of others in a reasonable manner.

Content

1. Elements of European integration

2. European economy: structure and dynamics

3. Dynamics of the European Communities

4. The system of the European Union

5. Economic freedoms and basic policies of the Union

6. EMU

7. Trade policy

8. Competition Policy

9. Internal policies

10. Common Agricultural Policy

11. Regional policy and cohesion

12. European social policy

13. Elements of European economic policy

14. EU vs. USA

15. Europe in crisis

Conclusion: dynamics of European integration


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Lectures 32.5 1.3 2, 12, 4, 9, 10
Practices 17 0.68 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13
Type: Supervised      
Teamwork 18 0.72 1, 11, 13, 19
Tutorials 2.5 0.1 5, 1, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 19, 3
Type: Autonomous      
Read and study the material 75.5 3.02 2, 12, 4, 1, 6, 9, 7, 10, 8, 11, 13, 19, 3

Teaching will be offered on campus.

Teaching methodology:

  • weekly practices, where you will participate with a prior reading of the documents and with delivery at the end of each practice of an individual manuscript summary
  • group work in preparation and presentation of an aspect agreed with the teacher
  • written exams

 The proposed teaching methodology may undergo some modifications according to the restrictions imposed by the health authorities on on-campus courses

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exam I 30% 1.5 0.06 2, 12, 4, 5, 1, 6, 9, 7, 10, 8, 11, 18, 17, 16, 14, 15, 13, 19, 3
Exam II 30% 2 0.08 2, 12, 4, 5, 1, 6, 9, 7, 10, 8, 11, 18, 17, 16, 14, 15, 13, 19, 3
Exercises 30% 0.5 0.02 12, 4, 10, 11, 13
Presentation 10% 0.5 0.02 7, 11, 13, 19

Continius evaluacion

  • two comprehensive exams (30% of the assessment each exam),
  • exercises  (30 % of the assessment) and
  • presentation (10% of the assessment).

 

All students are required to perform the evaluation activities. If the student's grade is 5 or higher, the student passes the course and it cannot be subject to further evaluation. If the student grade is less than 3.5, the student will have to repeat the course the following year. Students who have obtained a grade that is equal to or greater than 3.5 and less than 5 can take a second chance exam. The lecturers will decide the type of the second chance exam. When the second exam grade is greater than 5, the final grade will be a PASS with a maximum numerical grade of 5. When the second exam grade is less than 5, the final grade will be a FAIL with a numerical grade equal to the grade achieved in the course grade (not the second chance exam grade).

A student who does not perform any evaluative task is considered “not evaluable”, therefore, a student who performs a continuous assessment component can no longer be qualified with a "not evaluable"

 

This subject  offer the option for comprehensive evaluation. (Art. 265 of the UAB Academic Regulations)

By requesting the comprehensive evaluation the student waives the option of continuous evaluation.

The comprehensive  evaluation must be requested at the Academic Management (Gestió acadèmica) of the Campus where the degree/master's degree is taught. The request must be filed according to the procedure and the deadline  established by the administrative calendar of the Faculty of Economics and Business.

Attendance :

  • Student  attendance  is mandatory on the day of the comprehensive assessment. The date will be the same as that of the final exam of thesemester as per the evaluation calendar published by the Faculty of Economics and Business and approved by the Faculty's Teaching and Academic Affairs Committee. The duration of the comprehensive assessment must be specified in the characteristics of such activity.
  • 100% of the evaluation evidences must be handed in by the student  on the day of the comprhensive assessment.
  • The evaluation evidences carried out in person by the student on the same day of the comprehensive assessment must have a minimum weight of 70%.

 

Evidence Type (1)

Weight in the final assessment (%) (2)

Duration of the activity

Is the activity that corresponds to this evaluation evidence to be carried out in person on the  date scheduled for the comprehensive evaluation? (YES/NO) (3)

Exam

100%

2 hours

YES

 

For the retake procedure, no distinction is made between students who have followed the continuous evaluation and those who have opted for the comprehensive evaluation. All will be re-assessed using the same test or evaluation evidence.

The review of the final qualification will follow the same procedure as for the continuous evaluation.

 

Calendar of evaluation activities

The dates of the evaluation activities (midterm exams, exercises in the classroom, assignments, ...) will be announced well in advance during the semester.

The date of the final exam is scheduled in the assessment calendar of the Faculty.

"The dates of evaluation activities cannot be modified, unless there is an exceptional and duly justified reason why an evaluation activity cannot be carried out. In this case, the degree coordinator will contact both the teaching staff and the affected student, and a new date will be scheduled within the same academic period to make up for the missed evaluation activity." Section 1 of Article 264. Calendar of evaluation activities (Academic Regulations UAB). 

Students of the Faculty of Economics and Business, who in accordance with the previous paragraph need to change an evaluation activity date must process the request by filling out an Application for exams' reschedule: e-Formulari per a la reprogramació de proves.

Grade revision process

After all grading activities have ended, students will be informed of the date and way in which the course grades will be published. Students will be also be informed of the procedure, place, date and time of grade revision following University regulations.

Retake Process

"To be eligible to participate in the retake process, it is required for students to have been previously been evaluated for at least two thirds of the total evaluation activities of the subject." Section 2 of Article 261. The recovery (UAB Academic Regulations). Additionally, it is required that the student to have achieved an average grade of the subject greater than or equal to 3.5 and less than 5.

The date of the retake exam will be posted in the calendar of evaluation activities of the Faculty. Students who take this exam and pass, will get a grade of 5 for the subject. If the student does not pass the retake, the grade will remain unchanged, and hence, student will fail the course.

Irregularities in evaluation activities

In spite of other disciplinary measures deemed appropriate, and in accordance with current academic regulations, "in the case that the student makes any irregularity that could lead to a significant variation in the grade of an evaluation activity, it will be graded with a 0, regardless of the disciplinary process that can be instructed. In case of various irregularities occur in the evaluation of the same subject, the final grade of this subject will be 0". Section 11 of Article 266. Results of the evaluation. (UAB Academic Regulations).


Bibliography

 Basic references:

  • Badinger, H. and Volker, N. (eds) (2016). Routledge Handbook of the Economic Integration, Routledge (book on paper available in the Biblioteca de Ciencies Socials)
  • Baldwin, R. & Wyplosz, C. (2015). The economics of European integration, McGraw-Hill, 5th. ed.(book on paper available in the Biblioteca de Ciencies Socials)
  • European Commission. DG Economic and Financial Affairs (2014): The EU Economy: 2014 Review, Luxembourg, OPOCE <http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/publications>.
  • European Commission – Secretariat-General (2014): General Report on the Activities of the European Union 2013, Luxembourg, OPOCE. <http://europa.eu.int/abc/doc/off/rg/en/welcome.htm>European Parliament - DG for Research (2014): Fact Sheets, Luxembourg, OPOCE <http://www.europarl.eu.int/factsheets/ default_en. htm>.
  • European Parliament - DG for Research (2018): Fact Sheets, Luxembourg, OPOCE <http://www.europarl.eu.int/factsheets/ default_en. htm>.
  • Willem Molle, The Economics of European Integration : Theory, Practice, Policy, Rouledge, 2019 (eBook available)

 

 


Software

None


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(PAUL) Classroom practices 8 English first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 8 English first semester morning-mixed